Manchester United have confirmed the signing of Luke Shaw from Southampton this afternoon in a deal believed to be worth £27m rising to £31m.

United have been chasing the talented 18-year-old all summer but had struggled to agree a fee with Southampton – who were reluctant to sell any more players until a full-time manager was installed following the exit of Mauricio Pochettino.

But with Ronald Koeman installed at the held last week and Shaw returning to the UK following England’s early exit from the World Cup, it opened the door for negotiations to be resurrected and a deal was agreed yesterday.

Shaw travelled to Manchester last night and completed his medical this morning, and United have now been able to confirm that the left-back has penned a four-year deal with the option of a further year. A statement on ManUtd.com read:

Manchester United is delighted to announce the signing of Luke Shaw from Southampton Football Club. He joins on a four-year contract with an option to extend for a further year.

The club don’t disclose the exact fee, but the BBC claim it’s £27m rising to £31m depending on his success at Old Trafford. After completing his move, Shaw told his new clubs website that he is delighted to be joining United and working with world-class players.

“I am thrilled and excited to be joining Manchester United. I have been at Southampton since I was eight years old and I would like to thank them and the fans for everything they have done for me. I want to continue to progress my career and joining United is the ideal place for me to do that. I am looking forward to this new chapter in my life and also looking forward to learning from the world-class players and management at the club.”

Shaw becomes United’s second big-money signing in quick succession following the arrival of Ander Herrera on Thursday, and the spending isn’t likely to stop there with new boss Louis van Gaal expected to be busy in the market this summer.

With Alex Buttner leaving, Shaw will now battle it out with Patrice Evra for the first team left-back spot next season and although some feel circa £30m is a lot for a teenage defender with little experience at the highest level, he’s a huge talent who could be United’s left-back for the next 10+ years so I’m sure he’ll prove to be an excellent signing.

Here are some more photos of Shaw posing in his new Manchester United kit. What do you think United fans…good signing?

I welcome you the theater of dreams home of LEGEND.HEROS and SUCCESS,come and realize ur dreams because this is old trafford were great player has departed come and be one of them.UP MANCHESTER UNITED@! #the red devils.

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